Man shot dead while sleeping was a good neighbor and hard worker, say friends

Maxine Bernstein/The OregonianJoseph "Joey" Erzen was asleep in the corner bedroom next to Southeast 57th Avenue when bullets came through the wall, killing him in bed.

A 52-year-old Southeast Portland man known for his kindness and work ethic was shot dead as he slept early Saturday.

Investigators suspect the bullets that went through the wall of his bedroom were not intended for Joseph "Joey" Lawrence Erzen.

Homicide detectives aren't sure who may have been the target and are continuing to investigate.

Erzen rented a room in a tiny yellow cottage at the corner of Southeast Flavel Street and 57th Avenue. He had worked in local tire shops for more than 30 years.

Neighbors heard gunshots about 3 a.m. Bullets had penetrated the south side of the house, and struck a vehicle parked alongside the house.

"I heard the pop - pop - pop," said Heather Greer, who lives nearby. She let her dogs out to patrol the area.

Erzen's housemate was outside and went in to see if Erzen was OK. She didn't get a response. With help from police, she gained access to his room. Paramedics were unable to revive him.

The housemate declined comment Monday. "He was my roommate. I don't want to talk about it. I've been through enough," she said.

His longtime employer, Ken Hutchens, of Ken's Tire Service, said he's baffled by the crime. "He didn't have a mean bone in his body. I don't understand what happened here. I'm just as confused as anybody else."

Hutchens described Erzen as someone who was always willing to lend a hand to others, whether it meant driving an elderly person to the doctor, using his pickup to help someone move or helping a neighbor fix an appliance.

"He had one big flaw," Hutchens said. "He could never say 'no' to anybody."

Hutchens met Erzen 32 years ago when he was working for Industrial Tire Service, and Erzen came in looking for a job. "He kind of intrigued me as a go-getter," Hutchens said.

At Ken's Tire Service, Erzen did everything he was asked to do, and more. "He was my service man. He'd go out on service calls in the emergency service truck, or do tire pressing on industrial forklifts. When it was slow, he'd mount passengers' car tires for me."

He was married at one time, with two children. But he's been single for quite a while, Hutchens said. He had a couple of DUII convictions years ago, but no recent cases or other criminal record.

Hutchens last saw Erzen Friday. They worked together all day, pressing new tires on company forklifts across the region. Hutchens was on the phone when Erzen left work Friday, and he recalled paging him around 4:45 p.m. When they spoke, Hutchens told him he might have weekend work, and Erzen replied, "No problem, I'll be there for you."

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case, and tipsters can remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 503-823-HELP (4357), leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, or call homicide Detective Jim McCausland at 503-823-0449.